By Lou Phelps, publisher

June 15, 2018 - Like many today, I am devastated to learn about the senseless murder early this morning of Shawntray Grant. 

We've been FB friends for years. I've stood at sites of tragedy with him, covering the news, of course. He first became more well known to the media as he and Detric Leggett and others began to go to the sites of murders, with his bullhorn, to support the families, and talk with the community impacted by death. And, to call attention to the unacceptable level of murders Savannah was experiencing.

He was one of our activist citizens who was trying to find solutions, even as he tried to navigate his own life. 

The man loved his barbeque ... I swear half his FB posts were about who wanted to meet up with him to find great Southern food to eat! 

He was not a personal friend ... he was a community friend ... following politics and crime closely, texting me questions or information he'd heard, and always, always working hard for those who had less than him. 

He had followed in the footsteps of his father, Blue Grant, for whom The Grant Center on Savannah's Westside is named, who was a man dedicated to helping the children of his area, founding youth baseball teams, and performing endless good works, according to Westside leaders.

This is just a tragedy, for which there are few details yet. Someone shot him as he was exiting his truck. There are no indications it was robbery. 

Another man was murdered yesterday afternoon, as well, on West Bay. Two lives lost to guns in twelve hours. Details are still unclear on that shooting, as well.

Shawntray ran a catering business, a small businessman, who did not have alot, but who gave everything he did have to others.

His FB page logo is "Giving, Giving, Giving." That's what I'll remember. One of the citizens in our city who understood its culture, history and people ... and recognized that we must work together to help every individual learn to pull themselves up.

Our deepest prayers for his extended family.